In pictures: The 24 men

Complaints and tip-offs from local people led to dawn raids in February in Blackley, Moston, Newton Heath, Miles Platting, Collyhurst, Harphurhey, Ancoats, and New Islington.

Several drug rings supplying cocaine and heroin were broken and cannabis farms were also dismantled.

Hundreds of officers were involved in the swoops and drugs, cash, a Taser, handgun and ammunition were recovered.

Prosecutors have now convicted 31 crooks who played a role in the operation of drugs hotlines in different areas of north Manchester, where people would place orders over the phone before meeting one of the suppliers who would make the drop in a car or on a bike.

In Ancoats, the line was known locally as the ‘Kieran Line’ and supplied heroin and crack cocaine around the Rochdale canal towpath and nearby park area.

(Image: Handout)

Connor Hegarty, who assisted Michael and James O’Leary with their drugs operation, was found in possession of £2,000 of Spice in Piccadilly Gardens.

Also in Ancoats, a second team of dealers were supplying heroin and crack cocaine around Oldham Road through the ‘Paddy Line’.

A search of defendant Paul Gairns’ flat revealed a gun with 150 rounds of ammunition and around £2,000 cash.

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During planned action in January 2017, Matthew Clough was arrested after he rammed two police vehicles and threw a Kinder Egg stuffed with heroin and crack cocaine from the car.

The last of 31 defendants - Jay Jay Mckay, who was snared when an officer posed as an Amazon delivery man - was convicted and sentenced on Friday, August 4, following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Twenty-five were jailed immediately, while a further four received suspended sentences. The two women were given community orders.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Walker, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “Drugs tear apart communities and ruin lives and we are determined to root out and destroy any groups who seek to profit from spreading misery.

“People told us they wanted to see drugs tackled where they live, and thanks to community intelligence we have put 29 drug dealers in prison for a total of 96 years. These sentences mark the end of a year’s worth of hard work from everyone on my team and I want to thank them all for their efforts in securing this fantastic result.

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“I hope this shows people how seriously we take these offences and that when communities come to us with concerns about drugs, we will act upon them. I also hope this serves as a warning to anyone selling drugs on our streets that there is nowhere for you to hide. We will find you and bring you to justice.”

James O'Leary

The 31 who were caught...

1) James O’Leary, 31, of Millway Walk, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

3) Connor Hegarty, 20, Old Mill Street, Ancoats, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison for supplying Class A drugs and received six months consecutive for possession with intent to supply Spice offences.

4) Paul Gairns, 39, of HMP Manchester, pleaded guilty to nine offences of supplying heroin and possession of criminal property and was sentenced to six years in prison.

5) Callum Gairns, 19, of Bollington Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for a year, along with three months’ curfew and 100 hours’ unpaid work for offences of supplying Class A drugs.

6) Kieran Farrell, 52, of Willowdene Close, Collyhurst, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 32 months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

7) Kieran O’Leary, 32, of Edenbridge Road, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

8) James Denton, 25, of Cherry Ave, Openshaw, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 32 months in prison for supplying Class A drugs and possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Jonathan Piper

9) Jonathon Piper 35, of Clough Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

10) Darren Archer, 39, of Denver Avenue, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

11) Michael Bradley, 26, of Old Mill Street, Ancoats, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

12) Damien Dey, 27, of Coalbrook Walk, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

13) Dale Murphy, 29, of Acton Avenue, Manchester, pleaded guilty and received three years and eight months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

14) Edley Buchanan, 29, of Ludgate Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

15) Brandon Holmes 19, of Claremont Range, Gorton, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 months in prison for supplying class A drugs.

18) Jack Scott, 20, of Grange Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 28 months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

19) Mark Duffy, 33, of Goodworth Walk, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

20) John Peacock, 49, of Lon Hyred Abergele, North Wales, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for a year, with a three month curfew and 100 hours’ unpaid work for supplying Class A drugs.

21) Paul Eccleston, 42, of Blandford Drive, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 28 months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

23) Andrew Horan, 53, of Beverley Street, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was given an 18 month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, with a drug rehabilitation requirement for supplying Class A drugs.

24) Kane Campbell, 22, of Denmore Road, Moston, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

25) Sean Edwards, 23, of HMP Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

26) Richard Hunter, 39, of Park Bank, Salford, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

Matthew Clough

27) Matthew Clough, 27, of Booth Hall Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

28) Bailey Elms, 19, of Dalbury Drive, Manchester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to an 18 month prison sentence, suspended for a year, with 100 hours’ unpaid work and a three month curfew order for supplying Class A drugs.

29) Jay Jay Mckay, 29, of Ivy Close, Droylsden, pleaded not guilty but was found guilty after a trial of supplying Class A drugs. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

30) Nicola Hutton, 34, of Manordale Walk, Collyhurst, pleaded guilty to allowing her premises to be used for the production of cannabis in relation to a cannabis farm recovered during searches and received a community order.

31) Paris Connolly, 25, of Fold St, Moston, pleaded guilty to production of Cannabis in relation to a cannabis farm recovered during searches and received a community order.